The future site of a retail shopping center on Cherry Road used to be the location of a BP gas station and a local bar, Pub House. David ThackhamDavid Thackham, dthackham@heraldonline.com

The future site of a retail shopping center on Cherry Road used to be the location of a BP gas station and a local bar, Pub House. David ThackhamDavid Thackham, dthackham@heraldonline.com

ROCK HILL

Commuters and Winthrop University students are among the consumers expected for a proposed retail shopping center that would put a Starbucks and a Pet Supermarket on Cherry Road.

Developers are optimistic about the “pedestrian-friendly” area on the southwest corner of North Cherry Road and Charlotte Avenue, said John Wilson, development associate of Morgan Property Group.

The proposed 9,180-square-foot shopping center would include outdoor seating and a drive-through, just across from Winthrop’s Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections building. The site used to house a BP gas station and a local bar, Pub House.

“It’s really two-fold,” Wilson said. “Cherry is a major thoroughfare in Rock Hill. We consider that property to be on the ‘morning side,’ where people are heading towards I-77 and going to work.”

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Wilson added: “The proximity to campus is also a huge factor of why to choose it. It’s ready to attract both of those things.”

Morgan Property Group, or MPG, through affiliate College Corners Realty LLC, assembled and acquired the land from four property owners in June for $1.49 million. MPG has nearly finished plans to demolish the structures.

Wilson said construction should take place throughout the summer and be complete by next spring.

Pet Supermarket will lease 7,200 square feet at the conjoined center, while Starbucks will occupy 1,980 square feet. Both tenants have signed long-term leases, according to MPG.

The center, to be called College Corners, is expected to be fully occupied upon completion.

Starbucks also has a small location on Winthrop’s campus, as well as stores at the Northwoods Square Shopping Center on Celanese Road, inside the Target off Dave Lyle Boulevard and a free-standing store on Riverchase Boulevard.